Modi's party backs low-caste leader for president of India

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
has proposed that a politician from a low caste become the next
president, its top strategist said on Monday, in a move to
consolidate the party's support among poorer voters.

The BJP's parliamentary board backed the nomination of Ram Nath
Kovind, governor of the state of Bihar, party president Amit Shah
told a news conference in New Delhi.

Kovind's nomination to the largely ceremonial post of president
would be expected to garner enough votes from the BJP and its
allies in an electoral college that brings together federal and
state lawmakers.

"We hope to have a political consensus," Shah said.

Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's closest adviser and top
campaign strategist, played up the humble origins of Kovind, 71,
who has served two terms in the upper house of parliament and is
a practicing lawyer.

Kovind also used to lead a BJP unit that represents Dalits, a
community at the bottom of the traditional caste hierarchy of
Hinduism. "Ramnath has risen through the political ranks, waging
a long and hard struggle as a Dalit," said Shah.

The BJP's traditional support base is among upper-caste Hindus
but the party has sought to broaden its appeal, winning a
landslide victory in a state election in Uttar Pradesh in March
with the backing of many low-caste voters.

Nominations close on June 28 and the electoral college would hold
a vote, should one be required, on July 17, according to the
Election Commission of India.

Under a complex electoral formula, the BJP and its allies control
48.1 percent of votes in the electoral college. They should be
able to count on enough support from other parties to secure a
majority, say BJP officials.

Incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee's term ends on July 24.

(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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